The Office of Student Support Services is one of more than 20 offices in the Division of Campus Life, whose mission is to educate students and collaborate with them to promote personal growth, holistic well-being and open inquiry as they lead lives of purpose and integrity in inclusive communities at Brown and in the world.

We offer strengths-based, administrative case management grounded in the belief that every student has the capacity to learn and thrive, even amidst challenges. Our team of dedicated deans and professional staff works alongside students with empathy, clarity, and purpose. We honor each student’s agency and insight, helping them build on their existing strengths to move forward in ways that align with their goals, values, and identities.

We are educators, mentors, and problem-solvers who are equally attuned to supporting wellness and self-care practices as we are to navigating institutional systems and responding to critical needs. We understand that having someone to help you along the way can promote stability and aid in building resilience. Whether you are facing a complex personal concern or simply seeking guidance, we offer collaborative support that is student-centered, evidence-based, and grounded in care. We are committed to ongoing learning and welcome feedback as part of our shared investment in cultivating resilience, belonging, and success at Brown.

The deans in Student Support Services take a broad and integrated approach to supporting students. We serve as a central point of contact for students experiencing a wide range of challenges, act as a hub of information, coordinate care and interventions, and help students navigate Brown’s processes.

At Student Support Services, we approach our work with a deep commitment to understanding each student’s individual experience, always mindful of the context of their intersecting identities. We recognize that factors such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic background, religious or spiritual identity, ability or disability, country of origin, documentation status, first-generation college status, and other aspects of identity all shape how students experience and respond to academic and personal challenges at Brown.

Whether a student is navigating a difficult situation, considering a reduced course load, or exploring the possibility of a leave, we aim to offer support that reflects their lived experiences and specific needs.

Our work is grounded in relationships and is continually evolving. We value transparency, collaboration, and reflection — both in how we support students and in how we engage with our campus partners. We are committed to ongoing learning, welcome feedback at any time, and strive to ensure that our services remain responsive, equitable, and affirming.

Student Support Services operates as a collaborative and responsive team that provides individualized, strengths-based, administrative case management for students. 

Our Student Support Services deans work one-on-one with students to understand their circumstances, co-create actionable care plans, and make adjustments as needed to optimize outcomes. This strengths-based, non-clinical case management approach empowers students to navigate challenges while promoting their growth, agency, and well-being.

Our staff also participates in weekly meetings with the Care Team, a multidisciplinary group focused on sharing information and coordinating care for students navigating health and personal challenges. This team plays a central role in ensuring that students are connected to the right offices and individuals in a timely, thoughtful manner. 

Across all aspects of our work, we strive to listen deeply, respond compassionately, and collaborate consistently to ensure a seamless, student-centered approach that reflects the values of care, resilience, and inclusion at Brown.

It is important to note that Student Support Services is a private office, not a confidential office. We may share information that is necessary/needed with campus partner offices, in accordance with the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regarding information sharing.

Sharing select information enables us to collaborate with campus partners to connect you to services promptly. We share what is necessary to support you and coordinate your care. We may also seek information from campus offices, your faculty, or other campus partners who may be able to help in the situation that brought you to us.

If you have questions about our scope of services or how we share information, please speak with your support dean or send questions to studentsupport@brown.edu.